Choosing your Mountain Guide in the Andes of Argentina - Chile, Patagonia


What is a UIAGM certification?

The UIAGM (Unione Internazionale di Asoc DI Guida DI Montagna), IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) or IVBV (in German) is the highest award and recognition for Mountain Guides all around the world.

This Association was created in 1965 in Zermatt, Switzerland and its purpose is to standardize worldwide the recognition, regulations and training of Mountain Guide occupation.

In France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Canada is a LEGAL REQUIREMENT.

Does not exist a better international certification than the UIAGM- IFMGA-IVBV

The Mountain Guides who hold this certification (UIAGM-IFMGA-IVBV) have been going through evaluating courses, exams and intense training. They fully dedicate themselves to mountain sports in all their aspects: Rock and Ice climbing, Mixed and Alpine climbing, Glacier travel and rescue, Ski mountaineering, Off and On piste skiing, Radio Transmission, Topography, Avalanche training, First Aid Medicine.

Exist around 6000 Mountain Guides certified by this Association .

UIAGM -IFMGA- IVBV Guides are the only persons internationally recognized to teach mountaineering and guide persons through the mountains Ask your guide for his/her valid UIAGM / IFMGA guide's card or pin.

In Argentina the Mountain Guides Association, who train UIAGM-IFMGA-IVBV Mountain Guides is the AAGM (Asociación Argentina de Guías de Montaña- www.aagm.com.ar) .

Today in Argentina there are 17 Mountain Guides who hold the international UIAGM-IFMGA- IVBV Certification


2) How to choose your Guide:

Choosing a Mountain Guide in the Andes, Patagonia, Argentina demands some research.
It is a recent profession that has boomed and developed mainly along the last 15- 20 years in this area.
Today there are many companies offering several tours in the Patagonia region with differently qualified and certified guides.

If you are preparing a mountaineering or ski trip, choosing a guide should be the most important thing since you will spend much time with him in the mountains.

Since, Ski touring, Mountaineering, Rock and Ice climbing involve some risk, it is essential to choose the right guide to enjoy a safe trip.


Look for these Logos:

Alpine and rock guides

Ice and ski guiding

They are allowed to guide through glaciers, alpine ascents, ski touring and/ or rock climbing

For Summer and Winter trekking guides in Argentina:

 Mountain Guides with AAGM certification are today “Guías de trekking en cordillera” (Trekking Guides) certified to guide trekking trips up to climbing 3 rd grade.

3) Other Mountain Guiding Services in Patagonia, Argentina:

 Most good guides have good relationships with their competitors/ partners

If they recommend you to a competitor, it is a good sign for both of the guiding services.

It is nice to mention that there are excellent guides who are not yet certified, and some of them have been pushing their limits as sportsmen- alpinists and guides and doing amazing Guiding trips, Climbs and Mountain ascents. And all their background and experience is an accumulation of mountain experiences and challenges.

First try to hire a certified guide, if is no possible, the best way to know if this person or company non- certified have the right knowledge, experience and professionalism is asking to your close referrals/friends about the reputation of the guide or guiding company

Ask for:

• What are the company's guiding training requirements?
• What are the company's medical training requirements?
• Will the person or guide service provide a list of previous clients as a reference?
• How long has the person been guiding or how long has the guide service been in operation?
• Has the company had any accidents, and if so, why?

4) The Profession of Mountain Guide:

The Mountain Guide has the responsibility and duty to guide his clients through Mountain Terrain (Ice, Rock, Snow Trails), finding the best route and making right decisions according to terrain, objective dangers and weather.

Guides were trained to be able to guide in places where they have never been before. Sometimes it is very exciting for the guide and client to go to a new place and do research of a new peak, new mountain or new mountain area to travel.

The Guide will have to study, read maps and get the knowledge about the new place.

Please feel comfortable in asking us about a new itinerary to explore, this is what we love more!

We love to research and explore new areas!

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